Toy extension ladder assembly



A. R. MILLS TOY EXTENSION LADDER ASSEMBLY May 1,1951

'2 Sheets-Sheet 1 'F iled Oct. 1, 1948 Patented May 1, 1951 Application October 1, 1948, Serial No. 52,291 In Great Britain June 18, 1948 11 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved extension ladder and operating arrangement there for.

The invention arrangement is particularly adaptable to an extension ladder for a toy or model fire truck, and when used as such, gives a simulation of a fireman climbing an aerial ladder as the latter is raised, and descending the ladder as the latter is lowered.

Preferably, the extension or aerial ladder of the invention includes a first or inner section pivoted to a ladder platform for swinging between a stored and a raised position. A second or outer section is telescopically related with the inner to the outer end of the slide, passes around a pulley on the outer end of the outer ladder section, and is secured to a fixed point at the inner end of the inner ladder section. A third cable extends from a fixed point on the truck around a pulley on the outer end of the inner ladder section and is secured to the outer ladder section adjacent the inner end thereof. a

As thespring raises the ladder, the third cable draws out the outer ladder section. This, in turn,

draws out the slide, making the figure appear'to climb the ladder. When the crank is wound to lower the ladder, the first cable pulls the slide inwardly. Thiscauses the second cable to retract the outer ladder section, drawing in the third cable. The length of the third cable between the ladder and the truck thus is shortened,

swinging the ladder to the stored position.

It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a novel extension ladder. arrangement.

Another object is to provide a novel operating mechanism for aerial or extension ladders.

A further object is to provide a life-like simu-- lation of a fireman ascending and descending an aerial ladder as. the latter is raised and lowered.

These, and other objects, advantages and.

novel features of the invention, will be apparrent from the following description and theaecompanying drawings.

. the truck opposite that shown in Fig. 1,

- 2 In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a mode truck embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a horizontalsectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational-view on the line- 3--3 of Fig. 1. l

Fig.4 is a partial elevation view of the side of illustrating a latching arrangement. I Fig. 5 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the ladder operating mechanism.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the extension ladder. Y

Fig. '7 isa sectional view of the ladder on theline of Fig. 6.. Fig. 8 is a side elevation view of the movable section of the ladder. Figs. 9 and 10 are transverse sectional views of. the ladder on the lines 9--9 and Ill-I'll of Fig. 6, respectively. Referringto Fig. .1, the invention is shown as embodied in a model fire truck l5 having a body. It and wheels I! which may be driven'by a suitable motor, if desired, Body l6 has a-seat, l8 on which a model fireman l9 may be placed, and rearwardly of seat -|8 is an extension ladder platform 2| carrying the extension ladder 20 comprising a lower section 30 and an upper section 40. Platform 2| has a pair of spaced, vertical brackets 22 between which extends a horizontal pivot shaft 23. A coil spring 24 embraces shaft 23 and has one end 26 anchored in plat-. form 2|. The other end 21 of spring 24 bears. against a fiat portion 28 of the lower section 3|]. of ladder assembly 20. Section 30 has a pair of downwardly extending flanges 3| fitting between; brackets 22 and pivoted on shaft 23. Spring 24 is arranged to bias ladder assembly 20 to swing clockwise, or upwardly about shaft 23.

Ladder section 30 is preferably an integral or one-piece member having inwardly facing channel rails 32 for the portion of its length above flanges 3|. Simulated guard rails are formed by flanges '33 extending outwardly just beyond flanges 3|; The flat portion '28 and rungs 34' interconnect the lower flanges of the channel rails 32 and, for a; purpose made clear hereinafter, portion 28 and rungs 34 have central, upwardly opening depressions 36. At its upper end, section 3|] has a pair of downturned ears 31 rotatably supporting a roller 38- having a central? groove 39. 3 Outer ladder section 4|] has. channel rails 4| in Fig. 9. Slide 50 has a hook 52 at its outer end and an eye 53 at its inner end.

A crank 60 is used to retract the ladder 2B against the bias of spring 24. Crank 601's rotatably mounted between side walls T4, t4 oftru'c'k I 5, and includes a crank handle 61 at one'end and a radial arm 62 at the other end. Intel mediate walls l4, crank 60 carries a stop. 63..v 'llhe crank 60 may slide axially between walls [4 to allow arm 62 to be engaged and disengaged relative to a pair of spaced ribs 64, 64- on-one Wall? HI. Crank 6-D has secured tozit one 'end of a cable 65 which lies in rungdepressions 36 andj'is secured at its outer end to the eye -53; of slide '50. A second cable 10 is secured at one end to hook 52 of slide '50 and theother end of cable 10 is secured to an inner fixed portion ofladder for exampla to the endof spring. Cable lll extends over roller M "on the outer endorsedtion 4|], A. third :cable '15 issecurjed at one end t'o-one-of the innermost rungs-4'2 of section and extends over the roller 38 on the outenend direction 30. The other end o'f'cable '15 is secured to a suitable point on the front end. of truck I5. For example, it may be laid in a notch ll of bumper I2 and tied beneath thebumper;

The described arrangement, operates in the following manner. Upon unl'atching. of crank Bil, spring 24, which is under tensiomjbi'ases. ladder assembly 20 upwardly. As assembly'ZU is swung upwardly, cable 15 is pulled overroller 38. This slides section 4.0. outwardly relative to section 30. The upwardmovement of section 40: causes cable 11! to be drawn over pulley M, drawing slide and figure '4 5 outwardly alongjsecftion 40. Mean while, crank '60 having been unl'atched. from locking ribs 61 4, cable '65 unwinds as slide 50? draws the same; outwardly alfong depressions. 36.,

When crank is turned to wind in cabIe 65, slide 50 is pulled inwardly, drawing cable, 111. over pulley and consequently sliding, section 40. back I along section. 30. A's section d'llmoves inwardly.

it pulls cable. l5v over roller or pulley 38,..shortening, the cable length.v between. this pulley and bumper 12. This swings section-30 and thereby the entire assembly '20 downwardly to' the,

lowered position shown indotted-outline in; Fig.

1. When ladder '20: is fully retracted, crank. Bil

is moved laterally to engag'earm 62 between ribs 64, looking the-ladder in'the withdrawn position.

Other locking arrangements: may be used if desired.

The described device is" a very effective simulation of a fire: truck. in action. When crank 60 is: released, -ladder 20 extends and figure #5 appearsto climb the ladder. Similarly, when crank 6fltis. operated, the -ladder =20 retracts and figure appears-to descend the ladder. The arrangement is simple to operate and substantially fool-- proof, thus enhancing its value as a toy or model.

While-a specific embodiment of the invention has-been shown anddescri-bed in detail to illustrate the application of the principlesthereof, it will *be' understood that the invention may be "ing movement up and down said second section a said-slide: carriage is reciprocated; a cable arrangement interconnecting said slide carriage, and said first and second ladder sections; means operable to raise the ladder; and means con- ..nedte'd .to said slide carriage and operable to draw the, same inwardly; said cable arrangement being operative, upon operation of the ladder raising means, to draw said slide carriage and second section outwardly and said 'slidecarriage', in moving inwardly, operatin said cable arrangement to draw said second section in and to lower said ladder.

'2. An extension ladder arrangement comprising, in combination, a support; a first ladder section pivotally mounted on said support and swingable between a raised and a lowered position; a second ladder section telescopically related to said first section; a slide carriage telescopically related to and guided in said second section for reciprocation along the length thereof; and a figure mounted on said slide carriage for simulating movement up and down said sec ond section as said slide carriage is reciprocated; means operable to raise the ladder; a crank on said support; acableconnecting said crank to said slide carriage to draw the latter inwardly;

and mechanism operable by inward'movement of said slide carriage to draw said second section inwardly and to lower the ladder; said mechanism being operable, upon raising of the ladder, to draw said slide carriage and said second se tion outwardly.

3. An extension ladder arrangement comprising, incombinat'ion, a support; a first ladder section pivotally mounted on said support and swingable between a raised and a lowered position; a second ladder section telescopically related to said first section; a slide carriage telescopically-"related to and guided in said second section for reciprocation along the length. thereof; and a figure mounted, on said slide carriage for simulating movement up and down said second section as said slide carriage is reciprocated; spring means operable to raise the ladder; a crank on said support; a cable connecting said crank to said slide'carria'ge to draw'the latter inwardly; and mechanism operable by inward movement, of said slide carriage to draw said secend section inwardly and to lower the ladder; said mechanism being operable, upon raising of the ladder, to draw said slide carriage and said second. section outwardly.

4. An extension ladder arrangement comprising,. in combination, a. support; a first ladder section pivotally mounted on. said support and swingable. between araised and a'lowered position; a second ladder section telescopically related to said firstsection; a slide carriage telescopically related to and guided in said second section for reciprocation along the length there of and a figure mounted 'on said slide carriage for simulating movement up and down said secend section as said slide carriage'is reci rocated;

a cable arrangement interconnecting said sup port, said slide carriage, and said first and second ladder sections; means operable to raise the ladder; and means connected to said slide carriage and: operable to draw the same inwardly; said cable arrangement being operative, upon operationof the ladder raising means, to draw said slide carriage and second section outwardly and said slide carriage, in moving inwardly, operating said cable arrangement to draw said second section in and to lower said ladder. I

' 5. Anextension ladder arrangement comprising, in combination, a support; a first ladder section pivotally mounted on said support and swingable between a raised and a lowered position; a second ladder section telescopically related to said first section; a slide carriagetelescopically related to and guided in said second section for reciprocation along the length thereof; and a figure mounted on said slide carriage for simulating movement up and down said second section as said slide carriage is reciprocated; a cable arrangement interconnecting said support, said slide carriage, and said first and second ladder sections; spring means operable to raise the ladder; and means connected to said slide carriage and operable to draw the same inwardly; said cable arrangement being operative, upon I operation of the ladder raising means, to draw said slide carriage and second section outwardly and said slide carriage, in moving inwardly operating said cable arrangement to draw said second section in and to lower said ladder.

6. An extension ladder arrangement comprising, in combination, a support; a first ladder section pivotally mounted on said support and swingable between a raised and a lowered position; a second ladder section telescopically related to said first section; a slide carriage telescopically related to and guided in said second section for reciprocation along the length thereof; and a figure mounted on said slide carriage for simulating movement up and down said second section as said slide carriage is reciprocated; means operable to raise the ladder; a crank on said support; a first cable connecting said crank to said slide carriage to draw the latter inwardly; a second cable connected to said slide carriage and said support and passing over the outer end of said second ladder section, said second cable pulling said second section inwardly as said slide carriage is retracted; and mechanism associated with said support and said ladder sections and operable to lower the ladder as the second section is retracted and to extend said second section as the ladder is raised; said second cable extending said slide carriage as said second section is extended.

'7. An extension ladder arrangement comprising, in combination, a support; a first ladder section pivotally mounted on said support and swingable between a raised and a lowered position; a second ladder section telescopically related to said first section; a slide carriage telescopically related to and guided in said second section for reciprocation along the length thereof; and a figure mounted on said slide carriage for simulating movement up and down said second section as said slide carriage is reciprocated; spring means on said support engaged with said first section and biasing the ladder to a raised position; a crank on said support; a first cable connecting said crank to said slide carriage to draw the latter inwardly; a second cable connected to said slide carriage and said support and passing over the outer end of said second ladder section, said second cable pulling said second section inwardly as said slide carriage is retract ed; and mechanism associated with said support and said ladder sections and operable to lower the ladder as the second section is retracted and to extend said second section as the ladder is raised; said second cable extending said slide carriage as said second section is extened.

8. An extension ladder arrangement comprising, in combination, a support; a first ladder section pivotally mounted on said support and swingable between a raised and a lowered position; asecond ladder section telescopically related to said first section; a slide carriage tele-' scopically related to and guided in said second section for reciprocation along the length thereof and a figure mounted on said'slide carriage for simulating movement up and down said second section as said slide carriage is reciprocated; means operable to raise the ladder; a crank on said support; a first cable connecting said crank to said slide carriage to draw the latter inwardly; a pulley on the outer end of said second section; a second cable connected to said slide carriage and said support and passing over said pulley, said second cable pulling said second section inwardly as said slide carriage is retracted and mechanism associated with said support and said ladder sections and operable to lower the ladder as the second section is retracted and to extend said second section as the ladder is raised; said second cable extending said slide carriage as said second section is extended.

9. An extension ladder arrangement comprising, in combination, a support; a first ladder section pivotally mounted on said support and swingable between a raised and a lowered position; a second ladder section telescopically related to said first section; a slide carriage telescopically related to and guided in said second section for reciprocation along the length thereof; and a figure mounted on said slide carriage for simulating movement up and down said second section as said slide carriage is reciprocated; a crank on said support; a first cable connecting said crank to said slide carriage to draw the latter inwardly; a second cable connected to said slide carriage and said support and passing over the outer end of said second ladder section, said second cable pullin said second section inwardly as said slide carriage is retracted; and a third cable secured to the inner end of said second section and to said support and passing over the outer end of said first section; and said third cable lowering the ladder as said second section is retracted; said third cable extending said second section as the ladder is raised, and said second cable extending said slide carriage as said second section is extended.

10. An extension ladder arrangement comprising, in combination, a support; a first ladder section pivotally mounted on-said support and swingable between a raised and a lowered position; a second ladder section telescopically related to said first ,section; a slide carriage telescopically related to and guided in said second section for reciprocation along the length thereof and a figure mounted on said slide carriage for simulating movement up and down said second section as said slide carriage is reciprocated; a crank on said support; a first cable connecting said crank to said slide carriage to draw the latter inwardly; a second cable connected to said slide carriage and said support and passing over the outer end of said second ladder section, said a en-mac second: cable pulling rsai'd second section inwardly and'rsai-d second cable extending .said'slide carriagezas said :second section :is extended.

11:1. Ann-extension ladder arrangement comprising, in *combinationga support; a :first ladder section pivlotally mounted on said support and swingablezbetweenra t-raisejd .and a lowered position; a second ladder section telescopically related to said first section; a slide carriage telescopi-callyrelated toand guided in 'said second section for reciprocation. along the length thereof; :a-ndz-a figure mounted on said slide carriage for simulating movement up :and down said second section assaid slide carriage is reciprocated; spring means on 'said supportengaged with said first-:section :and biasing the ladder to a raised position; a crank on said support; a. first cable connecting said crank to said slide carriage to draw the latter inwardly; a pulieyaonithe :mxter end of said second section; "a isecondcable connected toisaid slide carriage andsaid'supportran'd passing loversaid .pulley,;said second cable pulling said secondsection'inwardly as'sai'd slidercarriage is retracted; and :a third cable secured to :the inner 'end of said second section and to said support and'passing over theouterfiend of said first section; "and saidthird cable lowering the ladder as said :second :section is "retracted; "said third cable extending saidsecond section as the ladder is raised, and vsaid second cable extending said slide carriage :assaid'second section'is extended.

AUBREY ROBERT REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

